“The matter of Alberto is practically settled. We couldn’t reach an agreement and I don’t think it can be revived,” he told Spanish newspaper El Correo del Andalusia.

“It was a great offer, but the player is only 21 years old and it’s possible that the catharsis of being with the national team had a positive effect.

“He has a lot of room to grow and the coach is very happy to have him. I don’t think we’ll make a lot of moves, but if on August 14 a club comes along and they give you a mountain of cash, well… I know you don’t like to hear it, but we are economic managers.

“My feeling is that the negotiations are paralysed and I don’t see any hint that they will be restarted. We put a price on our players which we believe to be appropriate. Whoever wants to buy, can buy, and if you can’t.”

He added that since Ivan Rakitic joined Barcelona, the team’s financial state improved, factoring in another reason for the left back to stay.

“Also, with the sale of [Ivan] Rakitic, our needs were covered. We don’t have the burden we had at other times.”